INTERVIEW: Everyone wants a starting place

We spoke to Patrick Brough this week as he took time out from his summer break to look back at his first season as a professional.

"I didn't expect to get so many appearances this season," he said. "Back in July my aim was to break into the team and get a few under my belt.

"We had some injuries at the start of the season so it worked in my favour and I was able to get involved. I had a good spell when I first got in and then, when Keith Curle came in, he continued playing me. I had a period out of the team over Christmas but to get back in and play the majority of the games towards the end of the season was very good.

"I did set myself a target of playing at least a few games. Everyone wants a starting place in the team but for an 18-year-old lad it's difficult to know whether that's going to happen. Kav obviously gave me my contract and my chance in the team, so it was difficult to see him go."

"You obviously don't know what's going to happen next or who is going to come in," he commented. "You don't know if you'll still be in the team once the new manager has come in. Everything is up in the air because a new manager could have different views and do everything differently.

"During that transition period I played a lot of games. As I say I was playing under Kav, then Thir [Paul Thirlwell] and Caigy [Tony Caig] took over, and they stuck with me. That was good because they obviously thought I deserved to stay in the team.

"When the new gaffer arrived I had a good run in the team so it's a big pat on the back that all of them thought I was worthy of a starting place."

"I had a dip in form and came out of the team during December and January," he explained. "It was frustrating but it made me work even harder in training to try and get my place back.

"It's difficult to watch the lads play, especially when they win, because you just want to be involved. You're obviously pleased for everyone but you want to be out there and be part of it. I got my chance in a game, I think there was an injury or something like that, and I came on and played well and it just kicked on from there."

"I've spoken to the manager and people like Danny [Grainger] a lot throughout the season because I know I have a lot to learn," he continued. "Danny is obviously the captain and when I play he's usually right next to me on the pitch.

"He's always talking to me and telling me what he wants me to do. It's been good to have that because it's really helped me out."

Part two of this interview will appear on the official website on Thursday morning.